He specializes in camaros firebirds and corvettes.

It could be the gas. I put it what i can afford. Usually it is 87.

 

Even though 93 octane would be ideal... not using it wont cause backfire by itself. I use 91 (all that's available in Tucson) and my car runs perfect. O2 sensors could also cause a backfire. If they aren't working correctly... they could tell the computer to send more fuel. Too much and it wont burn correctly or all the way. Then it might get into the cat and backfire. A tune-up ALSO might solve the problem. I think that if there is not a proper spark, the fuel once again might not burn all the way and will get into the cat and backfire.

And don't use 87 octane! It makes your car cry. But I don't think that it'll make your car backfire. Good luck!

Oh also... get a manlier boyfriend... JK!!! But it is way easier to reach the passenger side spark plugs underneath the car. I think taking out the starter helps too.

And listen to your mechanic who specializes in Camaros and Vettes instead of someone who drives an Altima

 

Thanks for the help.

My o2 sensors are having a lot of issues. I guess we will see when i take the car in.

 

Everything went really well my friends shop. He did the plugs and welding. The O2's checked out fine so he didnt replace them. Apparently the plugs were changed, but the idiot that did the work put the wrong ones in and didnt use anti-seize so they were really difficult to get out. #8 didnt even have the wire hooked up. It had pooped off.

He found a rusty socket lodged in the sub frames and that was causing a lot of the rattling. He wants to do some work to the exhaust system...tuck everything up under the car and make it look neater. So might have him do that in early march when I go out of town.

I have a exhaust leak in the driver side header. There is either a bolt missing or it broke off half way in. It leaks a little and is causing the hissing noise.

Other than that she runs SO much better. No more rough idle and lurching and no more back firing

Here is a pic of the socket and one of the spark plugs that he kept for me to see.

 

looks like the gap on that plug is a little tight

 

Only a little.

My SES light is still on. Do you guys think that header leak could be part of it?

 

could be get it scanned again